Turkish Police Organization

General Directorate of Security (GDS) or Turkish Police Organization is Türkiye’s institution responsible for internal security. Its foundations were laid during the Ottoman Empire with the Police Regulation of 10 June 1845 and attained its current structure with the Law No. 3201 on the Security Organization dated 4 June 1937 after the proclamation of the Republic. The police organization has a hierarchical rank structure ranging from the lowest level of police officer up to the highest rank of Director General and is organized across all 81 provinces and numerous district centers. While rural areas are under the responsibility of the gendarmerie organization, urban areas are patrolled by the police force. The duties, authorities, and responsibilities of the Turkish Police Organization are defined primarily by the Law No. 2559 on Police Duties and Powers dated 1934 and other relevant legislation.

History

Transition from the Ottoman Empire to the Republic

The origins of the police organization in the modern sense date back to the 19th century in the Ottoman Empire. The first organization referred to as “police” was established with the Police Regulation of 1845. In the final years of the Ottoman Empire, the police organization developed around Istanbul and expanded through various reforms.

During the War of Independence, personnel of the Ottoman police organization supported the Kuvâ-yi Milliye in maintaining public order and conducting intelligence activities behind the front lines. After the opening of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye in 1920, the foundations of the new state’s security organization were laid in Ankara.

Turkish Police Organization. (Photo: Mehmet Sürenkök, AA)

Early Republican Period (1923–1937)

With the proclamation of the Republic in 1923, efforts to renew and modernize the police organization began, as with other institutions. However, due to the destruction and personnel losses caused by the War of Independence, the number of police officers remained very low in the early 1920s. For example, in 1923, the total number of police officers nationwide was only 4,143, meaning approximately one police officer for every 661 people. In the following years, due to budgetary constraints and institutional problems, the police force did not grow; in some years it even declined. By 1932, the number of police officers had dropped to 3,800 (one officer per 968 people). Due to personnel shortages and infrastructure deficiencies, police in the early Republican years struggled to maintain public order and faced credibility issues alongside the gendarmerie in people public perception.

To address the shortcomings of the police organization and establish a modern structure, the 1930s saw a series of important legal reforms. First, the Law No. 2049 on the Police Organization dated 30 June 1932 came into effect. This 1932 law replaced the Ottoman-era Police Regulations of 1907 and 1913 with the first comprehensive framework for police organization during the Republic. Subsequently, the Law No. 2559 on Police Duties and Powers (PVSK) dated 4 July 1934 was enacted to define police duties and powers according to contemporary conditions. This law still remains in force with various amendments and establishes the fundamental legal framework for the police profession.

Finally, as the culmination of early Republican reforms, the Law No. 3201 on the Security Organization dated 4 June 1937 was adopted. This law detailed the central and provincial organization, duties, and hierarchical structure of the Security Organization; it introduced provisions to modernize police uniforms, personnel rights, and training. Additionally, the law foresaw the establishment of educational institutions to recruit qualified personnel for the police force, and accordingly, the Ankara Police Institute began operations in 1937.

Police Institute and Educational Initiatives (1937)

As part of the effort to strengthen the police organization in the 1930s, foreign country models were studied to improve police education quality. Under the leadership of then General Director of Security Ibrahim Sökmensüer, a delegation Europe examined police schools in particular in Switzerland, Germany (Berlin), and Austria, whose practices were adopted as models.

As a result of these studies, the Ankara Police Institute building, whose foundation was laid on 15 December 1933, was completed in 1936 and opened for instruction in 1937. Unlike existing police schools, the Police Institute was structured as a modern educational institution with both secondary and higher education components aimed at training police commanders. In its early years, police candidates without a high school diploma received training in the intermediate section of the Institute or in other police schools, while high school graduates were sent directly to the Police Institute or after a period of time.

Graduates of the Institute who were promoted to higher ranks underwent specialized training courses, aiming to establish a trained and career-oriented staff within the police organization. The Ankara Police Institute and the Istanbul Police School, both established in 1937, were directly attached to the General Directorate of Security and became the organization’s central training institutions.

In 1938, within the Institute, a criminal laboratory of small scale was established, and courses in criminalistics began to be taught by experts trained in Europe. This laboratory was later expanded to enable police to use scientific methods such as crime evidence analysis, finger fingerprinting, ballistics, and trace tracking. Indeed, by 1940, “Fingerprint Offices” had been established in many provinces of Türkiye and on-site evidence collection practices became widespread.

World War II and Its Aftermath

Although the reforms of the 1930s restructured the police organization, the outbreak of the Second World War exposed its vulnerabilities. In 1939, due to budgetary restrictions, no new police officers were recruited, and the police force declined again; the cadre, which had reached 4,882 in 1938, dropped to 3,780 in 1939. During these years, existing police officers struggled to maintain public order under limited resources, and from the second half of the 1940s, the expansion and modernization of the organization returned to the agenda.

Following the transition to a multi-party system after 1946, internal security needs increased, and steps were taken to strengthen the police organization. Additional regulations were introduced through certain decrees enacted in 1943, such as the Police Institute and Schools Decree and the Registry and Equipment Decree, supplementing Law No. 3201. In 1946, the General Directorate of Security was once again attached to the Ministry of Interior instead of the Prime Ministry, strengthening coordination with civil authority (it had previously been under the Ministry of Interior but during the period period reported directly to the government).

The Ankara Police Institute continued its activities after World War II and graduated its first class in 1941. However, due to the war’s effects and other reasons, the Police College (the high school section) within the Institute was closed in 1950. After the professional success of Police College graduates was recognized, this decision was reconsidered and the Police College reopened in 1958 with new student admissions. Thus, by the 1960s, the police organization had regained a system in which it recruited students at the high school level and provided vocational training at the university level.

Social events, urbanization, and increasing diversity of crime in the 1960s and 1970s necessitated growth in the police organization’s personnel and equipment. During this period, the Mobile Forces (units for intervention in social events) were established, radio and telecommunication systems became widespread, and specialized units such as traffic, smuggling, and political branches were developed. In 1979, the Police College began accepting female students to increase the number of female police officers (although this practice was later modified).

Some of the vehicles of the Turkish Police Organization. (Photo: Necdet Onur Archive, AA)

Post-1980 and the Police Academy

Following the 12 September 1980 coup, the 1982 Constitution initiated restructuring within state security institutions. The Police Institute, which had existed since 1937 as a vocational school under the General Directorate of Security, had its status elevated by Law No. 3087 on Police Higher Education enacted in 1984, and it adopted the name institution Police Academy. With this reform, the Police Academy became a higher education institution providing education at the bachelor's degree level and training mid- and upper-level managers for the Security Organization.

With the establishment of the Academy, its curricula were updated according to modern policing concepts, academic staff were hired, and postgraduate education opportunities were created. In the 1980s, due to increasing terrorist incidents, specialized Operation units were established within the Security Organization. Specifically, in response to the separatist terrorist wave that began in 1984, the Special Operations Directorate was established on 22 November 1983, deploying trained, heavily armed police teams under its command. This unit was elevated to directorate level in 1993 and became a key police force in counter-terrorism efforts.

The 1990s were a period of significant growth for Turkish police, both in personnel and technology. The first female Mobile Force police officers began service in 1991, and in the mid-1990s, computer and data based systems were introduced into Security units. In 1997, the General Directorate of Security launched the POLNET national police information network project, connecting police units nationwide through an online network by the 2000s. This enabled instant access to data such as driver documents, passport, criminal records, vehicle registration, and others, significantly enhancing efficiency and coordination in criminal investigations and public order services. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, influenced by the European Union accession process, reforms were introduced in police legislation favoring human rights and freedoms. For example, detention procedures and police supervision conditions were improved; human rights education was strengthened in police schools.

21st Century Developments

With the entry into force of Law No. 4652 on Police Higher Education on 9 September 2001, the Police Academy and its affiliated educational institutions were restructured. Under this law, the Police Academy established the Faculty of Security Sciences (offering undergraduate education), Police Vocational Colleges (offering two-year associate degree education), and the Institute of Security Sciences (for postgraduate education); the Academy effectively attained university status. Thus, the Security Organization acquired a structure capable of providing academic education, conducting scientific research, and training specialized personnel at the master’s and doctoral levels.

In the 2000s, new strategies for combating crime were adopted. The preventive policing model known as Community Supported Policing, implemented in collaboration with the public, began pilot applications in selected provinces in 2006 and was later expanded nationwide. Under this model, police aim to prevent crime before it occurs and increase citizen participation in police services by building closer relationships with the public through neighborhood police officers.

Following the 15 July 2016 coup attempt, comprehensive purges and reorganizations occurred within the Security Organization. The four-year undergraduate program of the Police Academy was closed in 2015 and replaced by the Police Commanders Training Center (PAEM), which provides six-month training to produce assistant commissioners from university graduates. Additionally, thousands of personnel linked to the FETÖ terrorist organization were dismissed, and internal security investigations were intensified. During this period, the police organization rapidly recruited new personnel to fill vacancies while simultaneously implementing reforms to raise education and discipline standards.

Turkish Police Organization and the "Atak" helicopter.

Organizational Structure

Central and Provincial Organization

The Turkish Police Organization is structured as a central and provincial organization under the Ministry of Interior. The central organization comprises directorates and branch offices under the umbrella of the General Directorate of Security (GDS). At the GDS headquarters, specialized units operate in various areas of policing, such as: Public Order Directorate (general security and criminal investigations), Smuggling and Organized Crime Directorate, Counter-Terrorism (TEM) Directorate, Traffic Services Directorate, Cybercrime Directorate, Intelligence Directorate, Special Operations Directorate, Personnel Directorate, and Education Directorate. These units guide nationwide operations, develop policies, and provide operational support when needed. The Director General of Security is the highest authority of the police organization and is responsible for coordinating all units. The Director General is appointed by the President of Türkiye and is accountable to the Minister of Interior.

The provincial organization consists of Provincial Directorates of Security in all 81 provinces and their subordinate district directorates or commands. Each province has a Provincial Director of Security under whose authority the province’s police organization operates. Provincial Directorates of Security contain specialized branches within their structure, such as public order, traffic, counter-terrorism, smuggling, child, cybercrime, and logistics. In districts, police stations and offices are organized under the management of district directors or commanders. The police organization is responsible for maintaining order in Türkiye’s densely populated city centers and towns; in rural areas, this responsibility falls to the gendarmerie, making the geographic responsibility scope of the police organization primarily urban. However, in some large district rural neighborhoods, police jurisdiction may extend further, especially as municipal boundaries expand with the status of metropolitan municipalities.

Image of Turkish female police officers on the 178th anniversary of the establishment of the Turkish Police Organization.

Ranks and Personnel Structure

Members of the Security Organization are subject to a hierarchical rank system. The current rank structure, from lowest to highest, is: Police Officer, Senior/Chief Police Officer, Assistant Commissioner, Commissioner, Chief Commissioner, Security Officer, followed by four levels of Security Director, and at the top, the Director General of Security. These ranks have been inherited from the Ottoman era and have remained unchanged to the present day; titles such as “Commissioner,” “Security Officer,” and “Security Director” were inherited from Ottoman bureaucracy and retained during the Republic. Promotions are determined based on service duration, education, merit, and disciplinary record. The rank and class system within the organization provides an institutional framework for police officers to advance in their career profession.

Police personnel are divided into several categories according to their duties: Security Services Class (sworn officers actively performing police duties), Civilian Security Personnel Class (administrative staff, technicians, etc.), Watchmen (also known as “Night Eagles,” neighborhood and market watchmen), and auxiliary services. However, the vast majority of the organization’s personnel belong to the Security Services Class. For example, as of the end of 2022, the total number of personnel serving in the Security Organization reached 335,360, of which 95.3% belonged to the Security Services Class. This ratio indicates that approximately 319,000 police officers are on duty in the streets and field, while the remainder serve in civilian official, technical, medical, and other support roles.

Each provincial directorate employs numerous police officers, commissioners, and commanders alongside career administrators appointed from the center (provincial directors and their assistants). In recent years, the proportion of female police officers has also increased. Although female police employment began with limited numbers in the early years of the Republic, today women serve in nearly every rank. Türkiye’s first female police officer, Fatma Rabia Efeyurt, was appointed in 1933, and the first female police commander, Fatma Hüsnü (Hüceste) Arcan, was appointed in 1932.

Upon their initial appointment, female police officers performed office duties in civilian clothing. Starting in 1937, they began performing field duties in official uniforms. Today, female police officers successfully serve in numerous areas, from unit command to Special Operations, traffic services, and managerial positions.

Police Educational Institutions

Training institutions that produce personnel for the police organization have evolved significantly over time. Today, the police education structure is unified under the Police Academy Directorate. The Police Academy, which traces its origins to the 1937 Police Institute and adopted its current name in 1984, attained the status of a higher education institution. Until 2015, the Police Academy housed the Faculty of Security Sciences, offering undergraduate education. Additionally, over 30 Police Vocational Colleges (PVMC) across Türkiye trained high school graduates in two-year associate degree programs to become police officers.

After the 2015 reforms, the Faculty of Security Sciences was closed. PVMCs and six-month training centers known as Police Vocational Training Centers (PVTC) continued to train police officers, while the Police Commanders Training Center (PCTC) was established to train assistant commissioners from university graduates. The Institute of Security Sciences, affiliated with the Police Academy, offers postgraduate programs (master’s and doctoral degrees) to enable Security personnel to acquire academic expertise.

Education at these institutions covers diverse subjects such as curriculum; law, criminology, criminalistics, psychology, foreign languages, close combat, shooting, and tactics. Alongside academic education, police schools instill a disciplined professional ethos in students. Continuous training within the organization (in-service courses and seminars) ensures personnel remain updated on new legislation, technology, and methods.

The police organization continuously modernizes its educational methods in line with technological and scientific advances. For example, criminalistics, a discipline focused on crime scene investigation and evidence analysis, was first introduced at the Police Institute in the 1930s as a lesson subject.

Today are the Criminal Police Laboratories under the Security Organization, providing scientific support to investigations using advanced techniques such as DNA analysis, ballistics examination, and chemical analysis. Similarly, in the 2000s, the Security Organization established Police Moral Education Centers and specialized schools on various topics (e.g., Traffic Institute, Aviation Police School, Dog Training Center) to demonstrate activity.

A specially trained service dog.

Reform Processes

The Turkish Police Organization has undergone comprehensive reform processes since its establishment. These reforms have largely been implemented in parallel with changes in state structure and societal needs.

Atatürk Era Reforms (1923–1938)

In the early years of the Republic, fundamental changes were made to modernize the police organization. In the 1930s, successive laws (1932, 1934, 1937) redefined police organization, authority, responsibilities, and personnel regime. During the same period, police salaries and benefits were improved to enhance the profession’s appeal, and salary increases were introduced to attract qualified individuals. Thanks to these improvements, a relative increase in police numbers was achieved by the end of the 1930s, and the goal of extending the organization to district levels was pursued.

One of the steps taken was to professionalize police officers in the quality sense; the establishment of educational institutions was guaranteed by Law No. 3201. The Police Institute established in 1937 was the product of this approach. Additionally, modern standards were adopted during this period regarding police uniforms, rank insignia, and internal discipline. Efforts were made to correct the police’s ring approach in daily life and to establish a service-oriented mindset toward the public. Indeed, Atatürk’s admonition to police — “Police should not be interfered with; they must be allowed to perform their duties freely” — reflected the spirit of the era.

Multi-Party Period and the 1960s

With the Democrat Party coming to power in the 1950s, some initiatives were undertaken to strengthen the police organization. In 1953, for the first time, a woman, Şerife Feriha Sanerk, was appointed as a provincial director of security, demonstrating that women could reach managerial positions. In the social unrest of the 1960s, investments in equipment and vehicles were made to ensure the police could meet demands; police vehicles and equipment were procured from foreign countries. For example, under agreements with USA, police radios, patrol cars, and other logistical support were provided.

In 1967, the Police College resumed admitting female students, but this practice was later converted to another model. In 1968, during student protests, the police organization’s conduct and competence became a subject of debate, prompting the government to introduce new legislative proposals granting police additional powers. In 1971, amendments to the PVSK expanded police authority in handling social events and reorganized “search” and “detention” procedures.

Post-1980 Restructuring

After the 1980 coup, the 1982 Constitution reinforced a centralized approach within the security bureaucracy. The most important reform of the 1980s was the establishment of the Police Academy and the elevation of the education system to university level. This 1984 step aimed to provide the police organization with an academic identity and enhance its effectiveness in scientific research and international relations.

During the 1980s, specialized units were developed within the police organization to address rising terrorist threats. The Directorate of Counter-Terrorism and Operations was established in 1988, and in the 1990s, organized crime and narcotics directorates were restructured. In 1990, the first in-service psychological counseling and stress management programs for police officers were launched. In 1991, amendments to the Law on Police Duties and Authority defined circumstances under which police could use force without prior warning during social events (this provision was revised again in the late 1990s). The Law No. 4422 on Combating Crime Organizations for Profit, enacted in 1995, granted new powers to police and gendarmerie in combating organized crime.

2000s and EU Alignment Process

Reforms undertaken by Türkiye in alignment with the European Union during the 2000s affected the police organization. Amendments to the PVSK in 2002 and 2003 shortened detention periods and strengthened police training and oversight against torture and ill-treatment. Inspector oversight was increased, and security cameras were installed in police stations. In 2004, the Human Rights Directorate was established within the General Directorate of Security.

The Community Supported Policing Project was launched as a pilot in provinces such as Ankara and Istanbul in 2006 and expanded nationwide by 2009. Under this project, neighborhood police officers were assigned to conduct citizen visits, school education, and crime prevention activities, aiming to foster a “service-oriented” and “community-integrated” image of the police. Additionally, during the 2000s, the Security Organization enhanced international cooperation: Türkiye played an active role in organizations such as Interpol, Europol, and UN Peacekeeping Forces; Turkish police conducted training programs in The Balkans, Middle Asia, and African regions.

2010s and Present

In the 2010s, heightened perceptions of threats to counter-terrorism and internal security led to the strengthening of the police organization both technologically and legally. The Law No. 6638 on Internal Security Package, enacted in 2015, introduced significant amendments to the PVSK and other laws. These amendments granted police broader powers in areas such as preventive detention, intervention against demonstrators wearing face coverings, and use of firearms. For example, police were authorized to treat Molotov cocktails and similar weapons as firearms and respond with lethal force. Additionally, police powers regarding identity checks and searches were expanded.

Although these amendments sparked public debate, authorities viewed them as necessary to prevent terrorism and violent incidents. After the 2016 coup attempt, efforts were made to strengthen intelligence and special operations units. The Intelligence Organization of Security was reorganized, and the number and equipment of Special Operations police were increased. Additionally, since 2017, the market and neighborhood watchmen system was reintroduced nationwide. These watchmen, as part of the Security Organization, provide patrol services especially at night and assist police. Finally, in 2019, new training centers were opened within the Police Academy

Turkish Police Organization, TeknoFest2023 video.

Social Role

The Turkish Police Organization is not merely a law enforcement agency but an institution that maintains continuous interaction with society and strives to foster a sense of trust and facility public safety. Throughout history, the social role of the police has been shaped according to public needs and expectations.

In the early Republican period, police-public relations carried some trust issues. The police organization inherited from the Ottoman Empire, affected by authoritarianism and wartime experiences, had a distant image in public perception. In the 1920s, the public generally viewed the police as an authoritarian figure who maintained order. Republican governments placed special emphasis on correcting this perception and strengthening police-public relations. During the 1930s reforms, it was emphasized that police officers should be more integrated into neighborhoods, familiar with their areas, and become “the people’s police.”

The police organization is a key actor in preserving social peace. Maintaining order during social events is as much a police responsibility as preventing crime and apprehending offenders. In major cities, Mobile Forces police officers are deployed to ensure order during rallies, protests, sports competitions, and other mass events. Although this duty has sometimes led to clashes and disputes between police and demonstrators, it is essential for the safe continuation of public life. Police may use force within the legal authority granted to them when public order is disrupted; however, the use of force must be proportionate, and its oversight is carried out by judicial and administrative mechanisms.

In the context of its social role, another aspect of the police is assistance and support services. As emphasized in the PVSK, police have administrative duties beyond maintaining public order, including “assisting those in need, the elderly, the disabled, the sick, and children.” For example, police cooperate with municipalities to provide shelter for homeless individuals during winter months; they reunite missing children with their families; they take protective measures for women who are victims of violence; and they support search-and-rescue teams during natural disasters. During the 1999 Marmara Earthquake and the 2023 Kahramanmaraş Earthquakes, police participated in search-and-rescue operations, maintained public order, and assisted in the distribution of aid. Traffic police also provide first aid at traffic accidents to life victims.

To improve police-public relations, “Public Relations and Communication” training became widespread in the 2000s. Particularly, Community Supported Policing units conduct neighborhood visits to establish direct contact with citizens and listen to their complaint and suggestions. Through Open Door units established in each provincial directorate, citizens can easily submit requests regarding police and governorship services. Such practices support principles of transparency and account accountability.

The image and credibility of the police in society are also important. Occasional individual incidents (e.g., allegations of police violence, corruption cases) can undermine police credibility. In such cases, state mechanisms conduct necessary investigations, punish erring personnel, and attempt to eliminate elements damaging institutional trust. Overall, surveys indicate that public trust in police in Türkiye has increased over the years, though it has not yet reached desired levels. Particularly, reporting rates by crime victims and police satisfaction surveys serve as key indicators for measuring public perception of the institution.

The police organization also encompasses numerous cultural and social elements. Police Week is celebrated annually around 10 April, with police demonstrations, exhibitions, and events held in schools and public squares to foster public integration with police. Police museums (e.g., Istanbul Police Museum, Ankara Police Museum) have been opened to present historical heritage to the public. Police Martyrs’ Cemeteries, built for police personnel who died in the line of duty, are significant spaces reflecting the public’s loyalty sentiment. In this sense, the police are portrayed as heroic figures who sacrifice their lives for public safety, and this awareness is actively instilled in young generations through schools.

On the other hand, the role of the police within society has become more professionalized and civilianized over time. Police in the 19th and early 20th centuries had a more military discipline and appearance; today, they operate as “public servants committed to protecting citizens’ lives and property and upholding the rule of law.” This transformation has progressed in parallel with Türkiye’s democratization and establishment of the rule of law. Today, police are not only combatting crime but also developing social projects to prevent it (e.g., seminars against substance addiction, traffic safety campaigns), providing traffic and safety education in schools, and encouraging neighborhood safety. In this context, the Security Organization collaborates with numerous civil society organizations and local administrations to implement projects targeting youth and disadvantaged groups.

Current Status

Today, Turkish police perform their duties with advanced equipment. In major cities, police use modern weapons and protective gear in counter-terrorism and public order operations.

Personnel and Capacity

The Turkish Police Organization is today one of Türkiye’s largest public institutions. As of the 2020s, its personnel exceeds 300,000. According to end-of-2022 data, 335,360 personnel serve within the General Directorate of Security. Over 95% of this personnel belong to the sworn police class — police officers, commissioners, and commanders — while the remainder consists of civilian personnel (administrative staff, technicians, medical staff, etc.) and watchmen. Police units operate 24/7 in every province and major district of Türkiye.

As of 2025, approximately over 1,300 police centers (police stations) are operational nationwide. Each police station serves as the public’s first point of contact, handling reports, complaints, and managing patrol units. Additionally, across all cities, the “155 Police Emergency” hotline and the recently launched “112 Emergency Call Center” provide access to police. This infrastructure enables prompt police fast response in emergencies.

Technological Transformation

Today, Turkish police extensively utilize advanced technology in carrying out their duties. The digital transformation that occurred in the 2000s and 2010s significantly increased the efficiency of police operations. Thanks to the POLNET information network, all police units nationwide are interconnected online. Through this network, identity checks, vehicle plate controls, GBT (General Information Gathering) inquiries, passport and driver’s license records, and other procedures can be performed instantly. Police patrol units can transmit data and conduct inquiries in real time via laptop terminals or tablets in their vehicles. Additionally, the police radio system has been upgraded to digital (digital) technology to ensure secure and encrypted communication.

Another significant technological innovation is the widespread adoption of urban security management systems. The MOBESE (Mobile Electronic Surveillance Integration) project, first piloted in Istanbul in 2001, began nationwide implementation from the mid-2000s. Under MOBESE, hundreds of security cameras were installed at critical urban points, and license plate recognition and electronic traffic enforcement systems were established. This enabled 24/7 visual monitoring of city centers, facilitating evidence collection after crimes and deterring criminal activity. The Security Organization’s City Security Management System units monitor traffic and public areas via cameras and provide real-time information to units when needed.

The police organization also heavily utilizes technology in forensic information fields such as ballistics analysis, fingerprint, and DNA databases. For example, fingerprint data are stored in a national center via the computerized AFIS (Automatic Fingerprint Identification System), allowing newly discovered prints to be compared against millions of records within seconds. Similarly, ballistic evidence such as bullet casings and projectiles are digitized to accelerate the identification of weapons used in crimes. Police laboratories integrated with the Forensic Medicine Institution contribute to suspect identification in serious crimes through DNA profiling.

Modern Equipment and Armament

The police vehicle fleet has grown significantly in both number and variety. Radar devices, breathalyzer units, and mobile EDS (Electronic Enforcement System) equipment on intercity roads enhance traffic safety. Mobile Forces units use armored and water collective vehicles known as TOMA (Tool for Intervention in Social Events) during social events. In critical operations such as counter-terrorism and hostage rescue, armored personnel carriers, smart bomb-disposal robots, and, when needed, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) are actively employed by Security units. Particularly in recent years, the introduction of helicopters and UAVs into the Security inventory has provided significant advantages in border areas and large-scale search operations.

Individual police equipment is also being updated to meet contemporary requirements. Mobile Forces and Special Operations police use gear such as Kevlar ballistic vests, ballistic helmets, and night vision goggles. Most patrol units now carry body cameras in addition to portable radios. These body cameras aim to enhance transparency and accountability by recording police-citizen interactions. Traffic police have recently been equipped with next-generation tablets and printers, enabling them to perform all procedures — from issuing punishment tickets to generating minutes and accident reports — instantly in digital format.

International Cooperation and Agenda

The Turkish Police Organization today holds an active position internationally. Since 1946, it has contributed to the work of Interpol and maintains cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Police (ASEANAPOL) and European Police Organizations. Turkish police engage in information sharing, common training, and operational cooperation with colleagues in neighboring regions. For example, joint operations are conducted with Balkan countries on cross-border crime and human trafficking; police candidates from Central Asia and African countries receive training at Türkiye’s Police Academy. Turkish police have also contributed to UN peacekeeping missions.

One of the greatest challenges facing the Turkish Police Organization today is combating new types of crime arising from rapid social change and advancing technology. Cybercrime, attacks on information systems, international organized crime networks, drug trafficking, and terrorism continually compel police to develop new strategies. In this context, the Security Organization established the Directorate of Cybercrime in the 2010s and trained specialized cyber police officers. Similarly, to enhance intelligence sharing and analytical capabilities in counter-terrorism, software supported by artificial intelligence and big data analysis methods have been adopted.

Through its reforms and transformations throughout Republican history, the Turkish Police Organization has evolved into a large and complex structure with substantial personnel capacity and technical equipment. The organization, whose legal framework is defined by Law No. 3201 on the Security Organization and Law No. 2559 on Police Duties and Powers, continues its activities aimed at fulfilling its mission of “protecting life and property and maintaining public order and general security.” By integrating historical experience with contemporary innovations, it strives to provide a democratic, law-based, and citizen-centered security service. In this direction, it continues its development across multiple domains — from education and technology to legal frameworks and social communication — serving as the guarantor of Türkiye’s internal security.

Turkish Police Organization, 180th Anniversary Promotion Film.